Hackles

When did the hackles get so big, they seem very large on photographs on here compared to the ones we wore in the 1960s.?
http://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/att...tid=5571&stc=1

Genetic breeding

the ones in the 60,s were like shuttlecocks

We used to store them in the small glass baby food jars that were about at that time to keep the shape [rounded at the top]; as they were only worn for ceremonial duties [then]. To store the current version and keep the shape you would need to use the barrel of a one inch morter tube.

I remember a shop on one of the platforms at Paddington station used to sell them they were huge

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Originally Posted by jones20

I remember a shop on one of the platforms at Paddington station used to sell them they were huge

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Platform 9 and 3/4?

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Originally Posted by Keith Jones 989

Platform 9 and 3/4?

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Yea and they were still running on steam :winkicon::winkicon:

Must pop in and get one next time I am in the 'Smoke'....So I am thinking that the answer is nobody knows?

I am talking 30 years ago its all changed down there now

In the ACF, we used to shape them in toilet roll cardboard tubes, then graduated to empty Duraglit tins with a hole in the lid. We also used to put a light dusting of talcum powder in the tin to help keep them white! The modern hackles are at LEAST twice the size1 :D

When I joined the Bn in 1981 the larger hackles were certainly available then. As previously mentioned we used to "shape" them. I preferred to use a thin type of drinks can and can also agree that a bit of talc kept it nice and white. Never really liked the smaller version.

Was it a red bull drinks can it would have given it wings :biggrinicon:

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Originally Posted by RHA-Dropshort

In the ACF, we used to shape them in toilet roll cardboard tubes, then graduated to empty Duraglit tins with a hole in the lid. We also used to put a light dusting of talcum powder in the tin to help keep them white! The modern hackles are at LEAST twice the size1 :D

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So which side of the Shemagh did you wear a hackle in the Arabian Camel Force? [ACF], Only joking, when where you a Cadet? the dates would help narrow the window of when the change from small to large became effective. It can be seen on here that the smaller ones were still in use in 1974 and the larger ones had replaced them by 1981.


".......five rounds of HE fire for effect....."

It is due to an EU directive in 1975 to do with turkey (and other fowl) feeding methods and minimum ages/sizes for slaughter.
Basically, the directive meant that birds were older and therefore their feathers longer.

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The change to the bigger Hackles (in fact they are now called plumes) I believe came into being in 2006 when the Merger into the future large infantry regiment The Royal Welsh (but please don't quote me on this)

You probably need to seek advise from RHQ Royal Welsh.

1950`s kept it in a Duraglit Tin Looked like a mushroom

I left the Arabian Camel Force in 1973, when I joined up! :smileicon:

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Originally Posted by LightOrder

So which side of the Shemagh did you wear a hackle in the Arabian Camel Force? [ACF], Only joking, when where you a Cadet? the dates would help narrow the window of when the change from small to large became effective. It can be seen on here that the smaller ones were still in use in 1974 and the larger ones had replaced them by 1981.


".......five rounds of HE fire for effect....."

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Originally Posted by DAVE BRAGG

1950`s kept it in a Duraglit Tin Looked like a mushroom

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Bet that made you a fungi to be with:laugh::laugh:

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Originally Posted by BennytheBall

The change to the bigger Hackles (in fact they are now called plumes) I believe came into being in 2006 when the Merger into the future large infantry regiment The Royal Welsh (but please don't quote me on this)

You probably need to seek advise from RHQ Royal Welsh.

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Anyone from RHQ on here - Any knowledge?

It is my understanding the larger hackles first appeared in Lemgo, 79, 80ish. They were a batch purchased by the PRI from a company in Pakistan. They became popular and sought after by many in the Battalion, and I belive the PRI continued to source them as they were making a 'pretty penny' as I recall. The cost iludes me at present as I have been to bed since then...........Some SNCO's & CSM's liked them, some didn't. So depending on what Company you were in depended on you being allowed to wear them or indeed not as the case was... I do remember they were issued to all at some point on really big and important parades. Hope this clears up any ambiguity..

I'm pretty sure some of the lads had them in tidworth in the 70s.

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Originally Posted by nasher546

It is my understanding the larger hackles first appeared in Lemgo, 79, 80ish. They were a batch purchased by the PRI from a company in Pakistan. They became popular and sought after by many in the Battalion, and I belive the PRI continued to source them as they were making a 'pretty penny' as I recall. The cost iludes me at present as I have been to bed since then...........Some SNCO's & CSM's liked them, some didn't. So depending on what Company you were in depended on you being allowed to wear them or indeed not as the case was... I do remember they were issued to all at some point on really big and important parades. Hope this clears up any ambiguity..

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Good explanation, it was only out of interest that I originally posted this. I just wondered if a special "order of the day" had occasioned the change or some special event relating to all Fusilier Regiments had taken place, or some thing had happend in Army dress regulations. It seems odd with the Army's constant search for uniformity [on ceremonial occasions] that the Battalion would parade with various sizes of Hackle. Thanks for clearing that up.